There continue to be rumors floating about that the CSM will be getting some kind of attention within the year. As such, I wish to resurrect an old (and much maligned) tradition here at 40KO--the interminable wish-list thread.
Post here to discuss your Chaos Space Marine Daydreams. Here are mine, section by section:
Army Wide Rules
First things first: Chaos Marks should be free (yes, free) on all mark-able models (all infantry and monsters, basically). They also should be slightly stronger than they are in some cases. This is to even out the whole "Loyalist Marines are soooo much better with their ATSKNF and Combat Squads and Chapter Tactics." So, here we go:
Mark of Chaos Undivided: Yes, bring it back (it sounds cool). Marked units can re-roll all Morale, Pinning, and Fear Checks. Hatred (Imperials).
Mark of Khorne: Rage, Counter-attack, Crusader
Mark of Slaanesh: +1 I, Fear, Fleet
Mark of Nurgle: +1 T, Defensive Grenades, Slow and Purposeful
Mark of Tzeentch: +1 Invul (6++ minimum), all characters count as Lv 1 Psyker
Champions of Chaos: I like the idea of forcing the challenge and getting rewards. I do think, however, the rule should change a bit. I say if a character defeats another character in the challenge, that character may add +1 to their WS/BS/S/T/Sv (player choice). This bonus remains for the rest of the game. This seems fair to me. Yes, your guys never will morph into Daemon Princes, but whatever--not that big a deal.
HQs
I'm going to save any discussion of special characters for later (too many to deal with), but in general I think our HQs are fine as-is. A price drop is probably needed for some (Dark Apostle!), but nothing here I consider upsetting. Certainly we could use a better array of artefacts and such, but we'll save that for later.
Elites
Holy crap, where to start?
Chosen need to be just plain better. Free marks starts that process, but let's give them access to a couple special rules that they have to pay for. Infiltrate/Tank Hunters/Deep Strike or stuff like that at a reasonable point cost. This gives them a role as multi-purpose special operatives or something.
Terminators get a modest price decrease (2-3 points per termie), but are otherwise fine. I think they work pretty well as-is, and free marks makes them pretty damned good.
Possessed are just awful as-is. Their randomly generated ability needs to be ditched. Give them a set of mutations they can purchase from the armory (hell, make these purchasable by Independent Characters or even just Characters, too). Give them access to wings/jump packs, let them buy the ability to move as beasts, give them access to rending/shred, give them access to some kind of attack-boosting ability (rampage, +1 A, something). If you want to invest the points, you can make these bastards absolutely killer. They will still just have the 3+/5++, though.
Hellbrutes: Bring their statline into line with the current SM Dreads and I'll be happy.
Mutilators: I don't know much about these guys other than they don't look awful on paper. They will need a price decrease, though.
Troops
Cultists are fine as they are and free marks makes them very handy. Let them buy some kind of modest antitank weapon--a grenade launcher on their leader, perhaps. Give them access to some kind of ramshackle, open-topped transport, a-la an Ork Trukk. Heavy stubber, AV10 open topped, Fast, 10 man capacity.
Chaos Space Marines will work pretty well with free, boosted marks, I think. Maybe a slight point decrease (maybe). I've never been as down on these guys as everybody else, though.
Okay, I've gotta run, but hopefully I've started the ball rolling. Let it out, gents! What do you hope to see?